An important innovation of the forthcoming Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg will be emphasis on the development of humanitarian cooperation, including in the field of sports and the media, Associate Professor of the Department of African Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University Monika Urb told reporters.
"The main innovation of the summit is that its program will focus not only on economic relations, but also on the development of humanitarian cooperation, for example, in the fields of science, culture, sports and the media," the expert noted.
In this regard, the academic drew attention to the fact that one of the four tracks of the forum's business program is called "The Humanitarian and Social Sphere: Working Together for a New Quality of Life."
Within its framework, participants will actively work to increase Russian-African cooperation in education, culture, sports, and ensuring human rights.
The "The New Global Economy" track will cover opportunities for collaboration in the energy, commerce, and economic sectors, as well as the construction and development of new logistical routes.
The main themes of the second track, "Integrated Security and Sovereign Development," are international food security and political stability.
Within the framework of the third forum's block "Cooperation in Science and Technology," issues of cooperation between Russia and Africa in the field of advanced technologies are on the agenda, she said, listing the other thematic areas of the summit.
According to the expert, the upcoming event will mark a "clear trajectory of development of relations" between Russia and African countries for the long term and will in this context definitely become "the most important and significant foreign policy event."
This, she believes, is the reason for the wide thematic coverage of the summit.
Urb also stressed that African nations have demonstrated a firm commitment to deepening ties with Russia: about half of the continent's countries will be represented at the forum at the highest level, despite enormous pressure from the West.
"Within the framework of the summit, a number of related events are planned, namely: a media forum, a congress of university rectors, a round table with the participation of the highest audit bodies of Russia and African countries, youth program events, healthy lifestyle sessions and forums and creative business forums, a presentation of the new flagship sports project ‘World Friendship Games,’ which Russia will host in September 2024," she further stated.
In addition, according to her a rich cultural program has been developed.
"St. Petersburg Seasons cultural festival will be held within the framework of the summit, the task of which is to acquaint residents and guests of the northern capital with the vibrant culture of Africa," the expert concluded.
The second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic Forum are scheduled for July 27-28 in St. Petersburg. The event was heldfor the first time on October 22-24, 2019 in Sochi under the motto "For Peace, Security and Development."